This amazing woman helped ensure the art of whatu survived.  She was so generous and humble.  I was lucky to learn from my Aunty  who learnt form Erenora Puketapu-Hetet who was taught by Rangimarie.  Even though I never got to meet either of these women I feel close to them. Rangimarie and her daughter shoe…

It is now Autumn… We are so lucky to have our own little plantation of harakeke at school, that has been started!!! The 5 varieties are Ruawai, Tapoto, Potaka, Taeore and Takirikau.  It will be at least 4 years before it can be harvested.  It is such an asset to our school.  Big thanks to…

We went to the pa harakeke and te aranga marae to learn how to cut flax, prep the rau and cast on for a kete: Tikanga- the protocol of harvesting harakeke The traditional weaving of harakeke follows  Māori tikanga. Māori tradition includes a protocol covers both harvesting and weaving harakeke. Protocol can vary across iwi  but…

Tatai Whakapapa Ko Rangi ko Papa Ka puta ko Rongo Ko Tane Mahuta Ko Tangaroa Ko Tumatauenga Ko Haumiatiketike Ko Tawhirimatea Tokona  te Rangi ki runga Ko Papa ki raro Ka puta te ira tangata Kite whai ao kite ao marama E Rongo whakairia ake ki runga Tuturu whakamoua kia tina! Tina! Hui e! Taiki…

The fibre within… Exposing the muka fibre is an ancient practice of Maori The process includes: harvest extract soak miro-twine patu-beat komuru-crimp whatu-twine weaving Certain varieties are used for extracting muka These are used to create many things of practicality and beauty…   harvesting cleaning a bush preparing for raranga Stripping harakeke for a piupiu…

Raranga